Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-29
OUR STATE SCHOOLS,
AN INTERESTING TALK WITH SUPBRlN-
TBNDgNT MORGAN.
The Whole School Sysism in Good ShaPs-WOrk Of
the Normals and the University
Things That are Needed.

State Superintendent OF Scncois ID. ..
Morgan has been in the city attending the
institute, and remained over few days.
Mr.. Morgan has proven an efficient and
capable official, and has done much to i'm
prove the schools OF the State. While here
a REGISTER representative approached him
in order to gather few items about our
educational work. He found the Super
intendent full to the brim with facts, fg-
ures and plans of interest.
He said: ''The whole school system OF
the State is in best possible shape, our
normal schools in particular are doing good
work. think i am safe in saying that
never before has there been larger attend
ance upon these schools, or higher
stan dard of scholarship among the pupils
than at the present time. The pros
poets for the next school year are bright,
and we confidently hope TO make record
SURPRISING any previous year of their his
tory. The heads OF these institutions are
all
BRIGHT, ENERGETIC AND VIGOROUS
young men, we'll qualified in every particu-
lar to carry them 10 higher degree ofex'
cellence than has yet been attained. The
liberal support they have received is an en-
couraging feature. When we consider the
work these schools have done, the number
of young men aud women that have been
sent out from their halls to take their
places among the teachers of our State, 1t
is matter of no small qualification, that
as the State grows, and our school system
develops, the appreciation OF their services
and demand for their pupils become
greater and greater.
"The institute work has been CT the very
highest character During the year about
sixty Institutes have been held, and the
majority have been largely attended.
Teachers are beginning To regard these
meetings not as tedious iutlictions, but as
valuable opportunities for entertainment
and instruction. Greater enthusiasm and
interest are being manifested every year
Our effort has been to obtain the very best
talent possible for these meetings. Six
Peabody institutes have been held this
year. These have been conducted by
educators OF national reputation, among
whom are DR.. f. f White, Of Cincinnati;
DR.. Payne, OF Michigan; D.. and Mrs. NJ.
A. Newell, of Maryland, aud Prof. Houck,
of Pennsylvania, besides ell the leading
educators of our own State
"Atpresent regard the establishment OF
more high schools ~ one Of our greatest
needs. The public school system, up to
the high schools can we'll challenge COM
parison " it'll that OF any other State in the
South. The University furnishes TO the
youth of West Virginia an unrivalled
means of securing higher education.
Between the public schools aud the uni
versity there is q gap that has never been
bridged over. In New England. the sys-
sem of private academies is generally relied
upon to complete this
WORK or PREPARING STUDENTS
for college The tendency in the western
States has been to carry public school edu-
cation one step higher, thus forming reg
ular graduation from the public schools 10
the colleges 70 this West Virginia will
come soOuer or later. The university must
be brought into closer relations with our
other schools, aud take its position at the
head of our educational system. Various
high schools in the State have already
been encouraged to extend their courses OF
study, and are now duly accepted, as
feeders of the higher institution. In
addition it has been our ain to cultivate
feelings of friendship and mutual good
will between the Normal schools and the
University. A course OF study, prepara-
tory To the University can now he taught
in these schools in addition TO their regu-
lar Normal works.
"We are frequently met with the Ohjec.
ton that these changes we wish TO bring
about, can only be accomplished by law.
This is a mistake. The courses Of study
in our high schools and normal schools can
he extended or modified without single
addition to our statute books. If West
Virginia succeeds in establishing a firm,
durable, compact and united school sys-
tenn, il will come about, because the people
want 20 support State institutions, and not
from any law touching upon the matter.
"Among other things, West Virginia
ought to have technical school. Our
future prosperity, to great extent, de-
ponds upon the development OF our mining
and manufacturing interests. A we'll
equipped technical institution would be q
powerful stimulus to the development Of
this hidden wealth. The people are be-
ginning to realize the necessity of edu-
eating the eye and hand as well as the
head. 1t would not he surprising il few
more years would see such school estab-
lished in some of the cities of the State. I"